Newcastle United missed the chance to return to Wembley
Eddie Howe, head coach of Newcastle United, looks dejected during the Carabao Cup semi final second leg
View 2 Images
The Carabao Cup defence is over. Newcastle United crashed out of the competition after a dismal semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City, losing the second leg 3-1 to complete a 5-1 aggregate loss.
A freak early goal from Omar Marmoush set City on their way and after Newcastle passed up two great chances via Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon, Marmoush got his second on 29 minutes after bad defending from the visitors.
Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 just three minutes later. That was game over and while Anthony Elanga got a consolation after the break with his first goal for Newcastle, they were soundly beaten. The cup won't be staying in the St James' Park trophy room for much longer.
Here's five things we learned from the game.
Pep outwits Howe
There may have been some discourse over what the Newcastle starting XI would be in the build-up to the game, but what everyone predicted was that Eddie Howe would revert to the five-man defence that had worked so well against Paris St-Germain.
If everyone guessed it, then you can be sure Pep Guardiola knew also. The way he set his team up indicated they'd planned for coming up against that formation.
With Erling Haaland rested on the bench, Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo were deployed as a front two with a difference - split forwards. Marmoush pulled out wide left and Semenyo to the right, meaning at times City didn't have a central striker.
That posed a problem for Newcastle's three centre halves. Instead, the likes of Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman pushed into City's midfield to try and pick up Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden who, at time, ran amok through the midfield. Newcastle were pulled apart, as the second and third goals illustrated.
Reijnders admitted he couldn't believe his eyes. "I was a bit surprised there was so much space between the lines," he said. "Phil and me, when we have got that space, we can attack quickly."
Howe talked about the system not being the fault but instead 'the execution'. However, he changed from a 5-2-3 against PSG to more of a 5-3-2 in the first half before ultimately ending the night playing 5-4-1. It all just looked a bit of a mess.
Hopkinson's timing is poor
David Hopkinson doubled down on his claim that Newcastle will be challenging for the top titles by 2030 in the hours preceding the semi-final.
“The No 1 thing I talk to the ownership about is ambition," he said. "That’s the magic word here. We have total alignment on that. This is a club that, by 2030, will be consistently contending for the top prizes in global football. We have a lot of wood to chop between here and there."
Newcastle fans want to see that ambition and four years is a long time in football. Just look at the strides the Magpies have made in the last four since PIF's takeover.
His comments made for interesting timing, however. What Hopkinson will have seen last night is how much more wood they still need to chop if they are to fell the mighty oaks that are City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United on a consistent basis.
Newcastle's cup form under Eddie Howe has been excellent, and their league form isn't to be sniffed at either with three finishes inside the top seven. That still feels a world away from 'consistently contending for top prizes in global football' though and their results against the top teams this season have been dire.
Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford
View 2 Images
Trafford vs Ramsdale
When James Trafford opted to return to Man City in the summer rather than join Newcastle, it was seen as a blow. The club had pursued him for more than a year, only to miss out twice.
Trafford played both legs of the semi-final and on both occasions returned to haunt Howe & Co. Two good saves in the early stages at the Etihad denied Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon ways back into the tie. Truth be told, both finishes were poor, but Trafford made himself big on both occasions.
Instead of signing Trafford, Newcastle took Aaron Ramsdale on loan. Ramsdale was surprisingly given the nod for the second leg against City and to be fair, was one of Newcastle's better performers. He stood no chance with the three goals and pulled off some good saves late on.
Trafford, however, certainly feels like one that got away.
Anthony Elanga coming good
If there was one positive to come out of the humiliation, and we are clutching at straws somewhat, it was the performance of Anthony Elanga.
Yes, he could have scored a hat-trick but he looked a threat in his 45 minutes and hopefully his first goal for the club - a fine finish with his left foot - will give him some confidence. His second-half cameo built on decent showings against PSG and Liverpool.
With Anthony Gordon set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, it's opened up an opportunity for the £55m summer signing from Nottingham Forest. He is going to have plenty chances to take it this month.
Wissa woe
That's three games in a row now that Yoane Wissa hasn't started. Eddie Howe opted for Nick Woltemade again in this formation, hoping the German could act as a link player with the pace of Gordon and Willock around him. It was the same tactic used successfully against PSG.
Wissa was left kicking his heels on the bench but got a runout at half-time as Howe hooked the disappointing Woltemade. He immediately had the chance to show he should have started, only to slice a great opportunity horribly off target. It's now just one goal in his last 10 appearances, albeit some off the bench.
Wissa will certainly be itching to start and put that right on Saturday against his old club Brentford. He needs to start showing he's a £55m player.